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Although Roman remains have been found, indicating that there has been settlement in the area for many years, as a modern town, Chickerell is recent and one of Dorset's newest towns.[2] Chickerell has seen much development over the last twenty years.

At the 2011 census Chickerell's population was 5,515.[8] Most of the residents (97.4%) considered themselves to be of a white, British ethnicity. Some 18% of the population were under 15, 2.8% were 16 or 17, 25.9% were between 18 and 44, 22.3% were 45 to 59, and the largest proportion (32.3%) were over 60 years of age.[9] The birth rate in Chickerell exceeds the death rate and there is a net inward migration resulting in a steady increase of the population.[10] Chickerell's population has grown considerably since 1960. Between 1961 and 1971 it increased by 43% from 2,300 to 3,300 and has continued to grow ever since, although at a slower rate.[2]